It’s Christmas o’clock!
(Does anyone else just want to hide with their books?)
2024 has been amazing year full of adventures, opportunities and wonderful books but I’m not going to lie … I’m currently overwhelmed in the very best of ways. My oldest child finished primary school this week, we’re travelling interstate for Christmas and I’m working on my edits for Project Pine Tree (a story I absolutely adore). All of these things are exciting buuuuut exhausting so this edition of Newsy News is going to be a little lighter than previous ones have been.
But before I go, I do have a few things to share with you all …
Escape the fun/chaos of the festive season with a trip to Wattle Junction!
For this month only, The Story of Us ebook is on sale on Amazon AU for $1.49 which is an absolute bargain.
Check it out if you like: | small town | brother’s best friend | friends to lovers | a hero who bakes bread | a deliciously sloooooow burn | forced proximity |
You can secure your copy by clicking here.
Looking for last minute festive reads? I got you.
All I Want For Christmas is Chris Evans … well, here’s the next best thing.
One day Elle Tynan, Steph Hazeltine, Alison Middleton and I were joking about how fun it would be to write a series of spicy and swoony holiday romances inspired by how much we all love Chris Evans … so we did and All I Want for Chris-mas was created. (And it was fun!)
My story, Finding Christmas, is a follow up to Finding Home which was published in Anyone But Him.
Santa, Baby!
Eight Aussie authors bring you rom-com hijinx and emotional feel-good romance stories set on a Christmas tree farm at the National Santa Championships. Snuggle up to Santa as your next book boyfriend these holidays.
Available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited here.
Fancy a short and sweet Aussie Christmas read?
Holly has one thing and one thing only to prove to her family – that she is a capable and organised adult, who can host the perfect Christmas day. The only problem is, Holly is neither of those two things.
Can we have a minute for the super cute cover too? Grab your copy today.
I hope that 2024 has been kind to you and the festive season is fun, relaxing and full of good books.
See you in 2025 and as always, happy reading,
Em x
It’s beginning to look a lot like the most *magical* time of the year!
Are you a Christmas fan? I love everything about this time of year. From the special nights out looking at lights to trying to find the perfect gifts (spoiler alert: books make excellent gifts but more on that later). And let’s not forget making special memories with family and friends. But before we get to all things merry and bright (because believe me, I could talk all day about that topic), here’s a quick recap of what I’ve been up to lately.
October was bonkers busy in the very best way!
Last month, I got lost amongst a metaphorical field of pine trees as I continued editing Project Pine Tree, the book I’ll be releasing with Penguin Random House in late 2025. I’m so in love with this story and these characters and I can’t wait to tell you all about them very, very soon. I’ve shared a few things on Instagram already and you can see them here. you better believe that as soon as I can tell you more, I will.
A visit to Novel Nook with author buddies and readers? Don’t mind I do!
At the start of October, Brittany Carson, SK May, Bindi Kennedy, Devon May and I were lucky enough to spend a Saturday morning at Novel Nook in Yarra Glen meeting readers and hosting a mini-signing which was so much fun. Can recommend the pub next door for lunch as well! Thanks for having us, Naomi!
(and shout out to Laura Catherine for the photo!)
Fiction + Friction’s Indie Book Convention
The other exciting thing I did last month was attend Fiction and Friction’s Indie Book Convention! Friends, it was the best. Elouise Tynan and I hit the road for Adelaide armed with snacks (a road trip necessity!) and a bunch of audiobooks recommendations. Confession time: we chatted the whole way there and still had stuff to talk about over dinner once we arrived in Adelaide.
Fiction and Friction is the biggest signing I’ve been part of and Britt and her team did the most magnificent job filling the Adelaide Convention Centre with romance fans. I can’t thank everyone enough who stopped by my table to chat and take home some of my stories with them. Getting to hang out with bookish people is the absolute best part of being an author. I can’t wait for the next event! You can find out which signings I’ll be at here.
Speaking of which, ARRA are running a Christmas giveaway for their 2025 signings - I’ll be at the Brisbane and Melbourne events if you want to say hi!
This Christmas, one lucky ARR2025 attendee will win a special treat - a $30 book voucher that they can spend at the signing. To enter, readers need to take a selfie with one of their favourite books (ebooks count!) from one of the attending authors, then post it in the ARR2025 Attendees group. Be sure to include the following in your post: I'm looking forward to ARR2025 in <insert name of city> in March, and meeting <insert name of author/s>. Maybe I'll see you there! #arr2025comp (For an extra entry, tag a friend in the comments of your post.) The winner will be drawn randomly on Christmas day from all entries.
Do you need some Christmas present recs? Put me in, Coach, I’m here to help!
I’ve just reloaded my store with some of sold out items (special editions are back, baby!) AND some exciting new products (enamel pins, stubby coolers and mugs)! Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or a gift, I’ve got something for the romance reader in your life.
And don’t forget my special editions includes foil detailing and a bonus or extended epilogue. Did I mention that all the bonus content contains spicy scenes? It’s what the characters wanted and who I am to deny them? These books are only available from me at signings or via my shop.
And, as always, if you’d like me to include a ‘congratulations on your prize!’ card (#iykyk) to allay any ‘did you buy another book/more bookish merch?’ vibes, just let me know in the order comments. Same goes for if you would like your order wrapped in Christmas paper. Consider me your very tall, very friendly Christmas elf.
You can visit my shop here.
I hope the lead up to the holidays is as relaxing as possible and you are all able to enjoy plenty of reading time. As always, if you read a good book, please tell me all about it!
Until next time,
Em x
Something ‘special’ has arrived in Wattle Junction!
Your August Newsy News is here!
I can’t even with these gorgeous new covers!! How fabulous are they?
All courtesy of the supremely talented Kelsey Bowman from Let’s Get Lit Studios. I knew I wanted something special to offer at book signings and Kels delivered!
Ever wanted to be a guest at Alice and Owen’s wedding? Or see how Billie and Wyatt are adapting to life as new parents? Maybe find out how Nate helps Eloise get over her fear of flying? I got you. And all of the new bonus content includes a spicy scene. What can I say? I just did what the characters wanted me too?
Once I have Teddy’s and Rafferty’s stories finished, they will be available as a pair or all five books together.
Want to snag your own copies and coming to Fiction + Friction in October? Secure your pre-order here. There’s a limited number available and I will be allocating them on a first in, first served basis.
Not going to a book signing but still want them on your shelves? No problem. They’re also available at my online store. You can purchase them and signed copies of all my other books here.
And while we’re talking about Wattle Junction, The Reality of Us is on sale this month!
Today’s weather prediction: perfect for a spicy, small town, opposites attract romance!
For all of September, Alice and Owen's love story is on sale on Amazon Australia! Now's the perfect time to pick up The Reality of Us for less than a cup of coffee! Grab it here!
A recap of RWAus ‘Trope Actually’ conference. TL;DR: it was amazing!
A couple of weekends ago, I was in Adelaide at the Romance Writers of Australia’s annual conference. It was a whirlwind few days filled with catching up with old friends, meeting new people, learning from a wide variety of authors who were so generous with their time and wisdom, participating in RWA’s inaugural book signing and having so.much.fun. Highlights included winning best group costume with my buddies at the cocktail party for our ‘Snow White and The Seven Tropes’ costumes. And I was so grateful to be awarded 2nd place in the Romantic Book of the Year (aka the Ruby) for Owen and Alice’s book The Reality of Us.
I’m already excited about next year’s conference ‘Writer Wonderland!’ in Tasmania. If you’re a romance writer, you can register to attend here too!
Now, before you go. Did someone say ‘giveaway’?
My talented author friend Brooklyn Dean and I did!
For one week only, you can enter to win paperbacks of The Insufferable Adam James and The Story of Us. It’s open to Aussie residents only, sorry international friends!
The giveaway is running over on Instagram. Head over to my profile or Brooklyn’s to get all the details and enter!
Thanks so much for visiting my little corner of the writing and reading world. Chat again next month and as always, happy reading!
Em x
The most amazing thing has happened!
Your July Newsy News is ready.
I got a book deal!
With Penguin Random House Australia.
What a dream come true!
This was not on my bingo card for 2024 but I’m so thrilled (and nervous) and grateful (and nervous, it’s a recurring theme). But seriously, so much has happened in the last few months that I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it all. The short version of this story is that earlier in the year, I pitched a story to Penguin Random House (omg, Penguin Random House!!!) and to my imposter syndrome’s immense shock, they liked it and are going to publish it in late 2025! I can’t tell you too much about it yet other than it’s a swoony and spicy romance and my cast of characters are so delicious. This truly would never have happened without the support from everyone who has read my stories, shared my work and encouraged me. I’m so thankful for you all. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next. An extra-special, extra-grateful shoutout to Chris Ebbs and the team at PRH for believing in me and my stories. I’m just a puddle of emotions over it all.
But enough about me, did you know that …
Would you just look at all these gorgeous stories written by Australian authors? What a line up! There are so many amazing stories by Aussie authors but here are a few of my faves and some from my TBR as well!
Faded Fragments by Mandi Kontos. A debut urban fantasy with werewolves, witches and mummies? And this gorgeous cover? I’m so looking forward to reading it!
Light Up My Heart (A Point Perry Christmas) by Joanne Speirs. Revist the charming small town of Point Perry and discover how second chances can be a gift when you’re brave enough to risk your heart.
Mortgage of Convenience by Dani McLean. Marriage of convenience + brother’s best friend + Dani McLean’s signature sass and steam? Yes. Please. (Special shout out to the thigh grab on the cover too. *chef’s kiss!*)
Novel Problems by Elizabeth Luly. A sapphic summer romance featuring a best-selling fantasy author and a warm-hearted cafe-bookstore owner, perfect for your next beach read.
Quinn, by design by Jennifer Raines. She’s antiques royalty, he’s relentlessly modern. Sounds like a match made in opposites attract heaven to me!
Rules in Love by Bindi Kennedy. Have you ever wanted someone so desperately you’d risk everything for one kiss?
Such a Small World by Jordan Clayden-Lewis. A speculative queer love story wrapped in memories that won’t stay buried.
The Insufferable Adam James by Brooklyn Dean. One immature dare. Two childhood enemies. Three kisses to bring him to his knees. #tellmemore
The Retreat by Stephanie Hazeltine. The Retreat is a place to relax and reconnect. Unless someone is there to get revenge. Spoiler alert: someone is.
Waiting to Score by Elouise Tynan. Calling all sports romance fans who also love fake dating and college settings!
And as if I’m not going to mention my own spicy Australian small town stories too! Have you visited Wattle Junction yet? There’s something for everyone with forbidden attraction (Billie + Wyatt in Wattle It Be?), opposites attract (I’m looking at you, Owen + Alice in The Reality of Us) and friends-to-lovers (hey, Nate + Eloise in The Story of Us).
I’ll be back again soon with more news, that ‘special’ thing I teased in last month’s newsletter, a recap of the Romance Writers of Australia’s annual conference and—as always—more book recs (because you can never have too many books on your TBR)!
Happy reading,
Em x